Protective effect of vitamin E on sperm parameters, chromatin quality, and DNA fragmentation in mice treated with different doses of ethanol: An experimental study

Background: Excessive consumption of alcohol induces an increase in oxidative stress production and can lead to detrimental effects on the male reproductive system. Objective: To evaluate the possible protective effects of co-administration of vitamin (vit) E on the detrimental changes in the sperm quality of mice administered ethanol. Materials and Methods: Fifty-four BALB/c mice were categorized into nine groups (n = ۶/each). The control group received a basal diet while the eight experimental groups received ethanol ۱۰%; ethanol ۲۰%; vit. E ۱۰۰ mg; vit. E ۲۰۰ mg; ethanol ۱۰% + vit. E ۱۰۰ mg; ethanol ۱۰% + vit. E ۲۰۰ mg; ethanol ۲۰% + vit. E ۱۰۰ mg; ethanol ۲۰% + vit. E ۲۰۰ mg. After ۳۵ days, the sperm parameters and sperm chromatin were assessed. Results: The results demonstrated a significant reduction in the motility rate, normal morphology rate, viability rate, increase in abnormal DNA structure and packaging (TB staining), and DNA damage (TUNEL) in ethanol consumer groups. In addition, the findings showed a significant increase in the aforementioned parameters in ethanol- and vit. E-consumer groups compared to the ethanol-only consumer groups. The ethanol group received ۲۰% of the most damage among the groups. The group receiving vit. E ۱۰۰ mg and those receiving ethanol ۱۰% + vit. E ۲۰۰ mg gained the highest benefit among the groups. Conclusion: Sperm forward progressive motility, normal morphology rate, and viability decreased in the ethanol groups. Also, the rates of spermatozoa with abnormal DNA structure and DNA fragmentation increased in the ethanol groups. Our findings revealed that the co-administration of vit. E and ethanol can protect destructive changes in DNA structure and damage.

Keywords:

Ethanol , Sperm parameters , Vitamin E. , ویتامین E , اتانول , پارامترهای اسپرم.